Public Yoga

It is one of my beliefs that most dis-ease originates from disconnection or a sense of feeling like we don’t belong or not knowing where we belong. It is this longing to belong that underlies various behaviors that many would label as ‘addictions’, yet it is a normal, natural response to a basic human need to be connected to, accepted by, and vibe with our tribe and Mother Earth and all of the beauty and nourishment she provides for our body, mind, and soul.

It seems that our culture might be in its own universal shift or transformation, from one that pushes for the pursuit of power, possessions, and prestige, where significant value is placed on working long hours and multi-tasking in order to attain this definition of success, to one that is supporting the pursuit of a more individualized definition of success, where significant value is placed on personal well-being and engaging in goals that reflect a contribution to something bigger and better than just ourselves, such as our family, friends, communities and the world. Joining a group yoga class can be an amazing means to feed the soul’s purpose of connection through the opportunity to slow down just a bit to ‘be’ with other like-minded human ‘beings’ coming together with similar intentions. As groups gather to do yoga, whether in a yoga studio or in a park or on a beach, the collective energy created through the practice creates a sense of community and each individual feels connected, whether or not they even know the name of the person on the mat next to them.

The yoga teacher sets the tone for each class and each teacher has unique approaches to guiding students through a class, so finding the best combination of class and teacher may involve taking several yoga classes with different teachers before landing on one that feels best for you. Some teachers focus more on the mechanics of, or the anatomy involved in the poses, while others may focus more on the philosophy and teachings of yoga, while still others may offer ‘hands-on’ assists or adjustments in the poses.

As a yoga teacher, I enjoy guiding students through their practice by encouraging a focus on breath awareness and listening to their own bodies. To assist students in experiencing the full benefits of a regular yoga practice, I include:

• A variety of asanas (poses) that build strength while increasing flexibility and balance in my classes
• Yoga philosophy
• Pranayama (controlled breathing)
• Meditation

As a trauma-informed yoga teacher, trained by Zabie Yamasaki, founder of Transcending Sexual Violence through Yoga, I am very mindful about creating a sacred sanctuary of compassion to support my students in feeling safe to explore the mind-body connection through their yoga practice. As a LifeForce Yoga^® for Mood Management certified yoga teacher, the sequences I guide address feelings of anxiety and depression, leaving students sensing more emotional balance in their practice and ultimately in their lives.

I am passionate about sharing the benefits that will naturally develop in students as a regular yoga practice is embraced. I get a great deal of satisfaction from assisting students on their personal journeys toward self-acceptance and unconditional love. I truly believe yoga provides a vehicle to healing and attaining balance in life as well as enhancing a student’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

With increased awareness and value for the basic human need to feel safe in order to heal and grow, I am currently teaching public group yoga classes in local yoga studios. Yoga studios provide space for smaller yoga classes that create a greater sense of community and more opportunity to find and connect with our tribe. Sensing safety and connection, students begin to transform their personal emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being on the mat, which is then brought out into their broader communities, contributing to the revolution of the collective consciousness of the world.